Sri Lanka’s team for World Cup...:

Final count down of 15 players in January- Aravinda

By Ranjan ANANDAPPA

CRICKET: Chairman Selectors and the former Sri Lanka captain Aravinda de Silva, who was also the driving force behind the Sri Lanka winning 1996 World Cup, said that although the Selection Committee comprising himself, Ranjit Fernando, Shabir Asgerally and Amal Silva has picked a preliminary batch of thirty players in view of the 2011 World Cup, there are lot more factors to be considered to find the right balance and the winning combination of the team prior to the final countdown of 15 players to be named in early January 2011.

Aravinda de Silva was addressing the media at the SLC Headquarters, Maitland Crescent to spell out the selection policies of forming a 30-member preliminary pool and the gauge for the final selection for the 2011 World Cricket Cup jointly to be held in Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh in February next year.

“Included in this pool of thirty we have earmarked a few guys, and in the case of an injury, for an example if the two allrounders suffer injuries, there should be replacements. For example, if Thisara Perera and Mathews are injured, there is Farveez Maharoof. So we have to take all these into consideration prior to the final selection.

De Silva said that the final composition of the team could be selected only when it is closer to the World Cup tournament after looking at the performance and form of the players. However, he ruled out the possibility of selecting players who will do well during the postponed Premier Division tournament which will get under way soon.

International performances vital

“We will be aware of the performances of the players who have done well during the up and coming domestic season. But we should keep in mind the fact, of the players who have done well at International level. For example, Thisara Perera and Tharanga Paranavithana have good records against international sides. So while comparing, one should be reasonable. For instance if Thisara Perera, Angelo Mathews or Tharanga Paranavithana fail during the domestic season at this juncture it will not be considered as a criteria for non-selection for the World Cup.

He lamented the inability to play the five one-day series against the West Indies due to the inclement weather which prevailed during the tournament.

“Missing the five one-dayers is very crucial, because we were looking forward in finding an ultimate combination before thinking of picking the final fifteen players. We were also thinking of trying out certain ploys during the five ODIs. It was very unfortunate that we missed out. But nevertheless we have a basic idea of what we are looking for.

“There are couple of places that we would have loved to try out to make sure before the World Cup.”

Team needs support

Aravinda de Silva emphasised, once the final squad is selected it is the responsibility of the entire nation to support the team irrespective of the selectors or SLC.

Referring to the inclusion of the two veterans Sanath Jayasuriya and left-arm bowler Chaminda Vaas in the 30-man squad who were members of the 1996 winning team, which raised many eyebrows, de Silva, while dispelling any doubt of a political interference in the inclusion of Jayasuriya said that they all know the duos capabilities. “We all know what they can do, we also have to consider the current form.

We have tried out some of the guys and seen their potential. It is only if there is an absolute requirement and necessity, we’ll look at them. We need experience as well as good performances. We will also have to consider the areas we have to cover”. said de Silva.

“At the moment if you take some of these fast bowlers, who are doing pretty well, we need to pursue with them. We have to compare all factors and performances before taking a final decision”, said the Chairman of Selectors.

A mental game

When asked whether it was a concern for not having enough exposure of playing at World Cup venues de Silva said “for me, when I saw the wicket and how it played, I didn’t see much of a difference between the pitches that we have played in the past. It is all a mental game, even when one plays at a venue where you have played previously, on a particular day the conditions can differ, so as international cricketers, what I feel is there is no excuse to say that you have not played enough cricket on a particular ground or wicket.

I firmly believe in that”. Answering a question as to whether Sri Lanka as a host country, will lose the home advantage for not playing enough competitive cricket in the three new venues especially at Pallekelle and Hambantota, he said that it was unfortunate, but he is sure they will practice enough, they have already arranged night training sessions at the two new venues and even at the renovated R. Premadasa Stadium to have enough exposure as there is ample time for preparation.